NHL: Buffalo overwhelms Islanders in Playoff opener
{{date|April 12, 2007}}

''Sabres lead series 1-0. (Best of Seven)''
{{MatchScore|New York Islanders|1|4|Buffalo Sabres}}
{{Stanley Cup Playoffs 2007}}

[[w:Brian Campbell|Brian Campbell]] and [[w:Chris Drury|Chris Drury]] scored two goals each, and the top-seeded Sabres opened the playoffs with an solid 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders before 18,690 at [[w:HSBC Arena|HSBC Arena]], in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo goaltender [[w:Ryan Miller (ice hockey)|Ryan Miller]] was very efficient, allowing only one goal in 21 shots. The Islanders backup netminder [[w:Wade Dubielewicz|Wade Dubielewicz]] filled in for starter [[w:Rick DiPietro|Rick DiPietro]], who has been bothered by injuries throughout the season.

The game was very defensive for the first half of the game, as both teams were only able to notch a goal a piece. Buffalo scored its first goal 9:30 into regulation, and the Islanders had to wait until 6:58 of the second period, when they evened it up. But the game was pretty much a full onslaught of domination by Buffalo as it dominated the shots category.

The Sabres scored the game-winner shortly after the midway point of the second period, and dealt another quick blow immediately after they returned to the ice for the third period. The Islanders, no doubt, have their problems to work with in terms of injuries, and the frustration could be felt as they drew a penalty late, which would ultimately seal the deal as Brian Campbell would score his second goal with only 3:25 remaining in regulation.

The Eastern Conference series continues at HSBC Arena in Buffalo on Saturday at 7:30 pm EDT, when the Sabres will try to take a 2-0 series lead on the Islanders.

== Scoring Summary ==
{| border=1 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 1em 1em ; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; width:98%; border-bottom: none;" align=center
!colspan="7" style="background-color:#FFFFFF; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: none;"|<center>Scoring Summary</center>
|- style="background: #e9e9e9"   
! No. !! Period !! Time !! Team !! Scorer (No.) !! Assists !! Score
|- 
|1 || 1st || 9:30 || BUF || Brian Campbell (1) || Tim Connolly, Adam Mair || 1-0
|-
|2 || 2nd || 6:58 || NYI || Arron Asham (1) || Jason Blake, Randy Robitaille ||1-1
|-
|3 || 2nd || 11:13 || BUF || Chris Drury (1) '''PP''' || Brian Campbell, Dainius Zubrus || 2-1
|-
|4 || 3rd || 1:08 || BUF || Chris Drury (2) || Dainius Zubrus, Teppo Numminen || 3-1
|-
|5 || 3rd || 16:35 || BUF ||Brian Campbell (2) '''PP''' || Daniel Briere, Dainius Zubrus || 4-1
|-
|}

== Goaltending ==
{| border=1 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 1em 1em ; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; width:98%; border-bottom: none;" align=center
!colspan="7" style="background-color:#FFFFFF; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: none;"|<center>Goaltending</center>
|- style="background: #e9e9e9"   
! Team !! Player !! Shots !! Saves !! Save Pct. !!
|- 
|NYI || Wade Dubielewicz || 35 || 31 || .886
|-
|BUF|| Ryan Miller || 21 || 20 || .952
|-
|}

== Three Stars of the Game ==
* '''#1''' = [[w:Brain Campbell|Brian Campbell]], D, ''Buffalo Sabres'' - 2 Goals, 1 Assist
* '''#2''' = [[w:Chris Drury|Chris Drury]], C, ''Buffalo Sabres'' - 2 Goals
* '''#3''' = [[w:Dainius Zubrus|Dainius Zubrus]], RW, ''Buffalo Sabres'' - 3 Assists

== External links ==
* [http://www.buffalosabres.com Official Website of the Buffalo Sabres]
* [http://www.newyorkislanders.com Official Website of the New York Islanders]
* [http://www.nhl.com National Hockey League Official Website]

== Sources ==
* [http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20062007/GS030111.HTM NHL Online ReportViewer - Game Summary]
* [http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20062007/ES030111.HTM NHL Online ReportViewer - Event Summary]
* [http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20062007/PL030111.HTM NHL Online ReportViewer - Play-by-Play]
* [http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore;_ylt=AgBmg83UqCRHBqLritZbc4N7vLYF?gid=2007041202 Yahoo! Sports Boxscore - Buffalo Sabres 4, New York Islanders 1]

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[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:National Hockey League]]
[[Category:Stanley Cup Playoffs 2007]]
[[Category:Ice hockey]]
Sabres lead series 1-0. (Best of Seven)

Brian Campbell and Chris Drury scored two goals each, and the top-seeded Sabres opened the playoffs with an solid 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders before 18,690 at HSBC Arena, in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller was very efficient, allowing only one goal in 21 shots. The Islanders backup netminder Wade Dubielewicz filled in for starter Rick DiPietro, who has been bothered by injuries throughout the season.

The game was very defensive for the first half of the game, as both teams were only able to notch a goal a piece. Buffalo scored its first goal 9:30 into regulation, and the Islanders had to wait until 6:58 of the second period, when they evened it up. But the game was pretty much a full onslaught of domination by Buffalo as it dominated the shots category.

The Sabres scored the game-winner shortly after the midway point of the second period, and dealt another quick blow immediately after they returned to the ice for the third period. The Islanders, no doubt, have their problems to work with in terms of injuries, and the frustration could be felt as they drew a penalty late, which would ultimately seal the deal as Brian Campbell would score his second goal with only 3:25 remaining in regulation.

The Eastern Conference series continues at HSBC Arena in Buffalo on Saturday at 7:30 pm EDT, when the Sabres will try to take a 2-0 series lead on the Islanders.
North America United States Sports National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs 2007 Ice hockey